Hi! My name is Maggie Wright, and I am a general intern at 1N5. I am a current senior at UC majoring in Psychology!
Through my own experiences with mental health struggles, I have had to learn a lot about caring for myself. Self-care has become an essential aspect of my life and something I am passionate about encouraging others to do.
When starting my journey of learning to love and care for myself, I first learned that self-care can be anything. It can be that face mask you put on in the evening, it can be that silly reality TV show you turn on, it can be taking a walk outside… it can be anything! Many people pressure themselves to develop difficult self-care practices like meditating, journaling, and yoga. Why these seem like the best self-care practices advertised, they aren’t for everyone.
Learning to find what works for you is key. I struggled with seeing Instagram ads, comparing myself to friends, and feeling doubt about what I thought I should be doing. I would see an online post about how someone “healed their anxious mind” by dieting and exercising twice daily. Well, that wasn’t realistic and also unhealthy. I could go on and on about how toxic posts like these are, but what I’m trying to say is that what works for someone else might not work for you.
Lastly, self-care should be enjoyable and provide you with the care you need. Don’t put too much pressure on it. Try new things, and it’s okay if they don’t work! Start simple. If taking a 10-minute walk around the block in the evening grounds you, do it! If turning on Love Island before bed calms you down, watch it! And, if you want to start journaling, meditating, going to yoga, working out, or other new practices, set realistic expectations for yourself. Journal for 10 minutes, try a deep breathing exercise for 1 minute, try a beginner yoga class, and most importantly, do what feels comfortable!
Ultimately, it’s about caring for your mind, body, and soul. Listen to what it needs and prioritize yourself!
“Put yourself on the top of your to-do list every single day, and the rest will fall into place!”
